FS Digest

So I live in North Carolina and I’m looking for the best rod and reel combo for surf fishing and freshwater bass fishing. I don’t mind paying a little extra for a good quality rig and something that will last longer.

Any suggestions or any advice whatsoever would be greatly appreciated, I’m pretty new to fishing but I’m willing to learn and take any advice! Thanks.

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by DegenerateGambino

FS Digest

Buy two rods.

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by big_red_13

FS Digest

I have a really nice baitcast rod that my BF got me for Christmas and I have my cheapish Shakespeare spinning rods that I fish with. I ALWAYS go with the spinning rods. Their lighter and easier to feel a bite. However, really depends on what you're fishing for.

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by notsurehowimalive

FS Digest

From NE Georgia here, not too far from Carolinas. Not sure how new you are, so I’ll kill you with information to really get going like I did about five years ago. What I have found, like golf, fishing is preference and patience. Most of all it is costly but well worth it, it’s something you can do forever.

In regards to rigging, you are only as good as your weakest link and you need to learn that different lines, leaders, hooks, and jigs are going to require different things. These are easily learned with you tube help. Roland Martin is linked below, he will be a great starting point. Again, like golf there is a lot of CRAP that is a complete waste of money. There is no substitute for live bait, but there are quality lures that are proven. Watch the pros, where they fish, what they fish with, and why they fish the technique.

As for your question. Here is what I have bought and have finally gotten a quality setup. Fishing is a community, fishermen are always willing to help, sometimes too willing.

Saltwater:

Penn Spin Fisher 8000 10 ft Combo for Saltwater surf fishing. For saltwater you don’t get better than Penn. You definitely need to spend more on saltwater combos unless you plan to replace them a lot.

Freshwater: I recommend the Lews Mach Crush Speed Baitcast for bass fishing as a mid level setup ($199) Get some green pumpkin seed worms, offset hooks, learn to tie a palomar knot. Use braided line with a fluorocarbon leader, learn to rig a Carolina rig and when you are catching them consistently on that move onto different styles. You always are safe with a green pumpkin worm. Carolina Rigging is more forgiving for beginners. Like I mentioned earlier, I recommend watching a lot of legendary bass fisherman and great teacher Roland Martin’s You Tube videos. He does some great stuff that has improved my fishing immensely. I’ll link it below.

If you want to go all in here are some things that I have recently purchased and had success with.

Shimano Curado baitcaster 13 Fishing Concept Z

Lew’s Medium-Heavy 6’5 or 7 ft baitcast rod (plenty of these that are all great rods) the 6’5 is more accurate but again its preference.

20-30lb braid line/ some guys swear by mono line it’s a preference. Go heavy for fishing in a lot of brush, grasses, lily pads.

Z Man Chatterbaits (very adaptable fishing bait) black and blue / white / pumpkin seed with a variety of different plastic baits you can rig on the hook.

Flukes are great baits on a Pulse Fishing Jig in a larger lake setting.

Strike King Jigs with a palmetto plastic bait rigged are awesome.

Plastic Frogs late spring, early summer unless you are in Florida. All the time there.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe-BJvnEdvoMQmerQBK1ZTw

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by HSFootballCoach

FS Digest

Wow I really appreciate it man thank you so much for the all the information! I’m going to definitely look into that.

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by DegenerateGambino

Howard Loc: Northern Va

since you are new don't go broke until you learn a little about the rods and reels both salt and fresh water. i would start out with items under 80.00 and when you get the hang of it then get the better equipment. it worked for me

dafjib Loc: Asheville ,N.C.

I would go with a Florida fishing products reel ,they are a newer Co. but have some of the best reels out there and they are great to work with .and a rod go with a Ugly Stick you cant beat them ,and if you break one they will replace it . I have gone to FFP reels over all the higher price brand name reels .All they have is spinning reels and rods ,line .

Virgilbigfish

Very good advice hsfootball coach is right on time.perfect for northeast texas

BILLBYRD1 Loc: Prattville Al

Buy 2 sets. 1 for freshwater and 1 for salt water.

Jakestake83 Loc: Mooresville NC

You have two completely different requirements here, one for surf fishing and the other for freshwater bass. I can't advise you on surf equipment but as a starter freshwater angler you should start with a spinning combination and don't pay more than$50 or $60 for it, thats both rod and reel. Get a medium 7 foot rod with a fast action tip and almost any brand reel will work. When purchasing a combo, they usually come together as a package. As you gain more experience you will want to move to a bait caster but thats you first upgrade. 6 to8 pound mono line should do fine for you as a starter.

MichiganMac Loc: Plainwell, MI

I'm a huge Ugly-stick fisherman. The six footer is versatile and darn near unbreakable. I'm a big user of Mitchell open faced reels. I have an Ambassadeur II that is a great spin aster for bass and target casting. Mitchell's hold any line well and are readily available on Craigslist and Letgo. Good fishing.

MichiganMac Loc: Plainwell, MI

Addressing the surf aspect of your question, go with a large reel, I use a Penn 700 series and a ten foot Ugly-Stick. Long cast into the rips and well anchored baits work for me.